The big headliner of our first
concert is a performance of Richard
Strauss’s towering musical
masterpiece based on the classic
Cervantes novel. Redwood Symphony is
delighted to welcome back for the
third time cellist Dahna Rudin, who
will seek to personify Don Quixote,
a doddering and senile old man who
remains unflinchingly romantic,
heroic and virtuous, as he embarks
on various ill-considered adventures
against imaginary foes. The musical
work is rich in musical description
and motives for the different ideas,
which vary in form. (We will use
supertitles over the stage.) Of
particular note is a very early and
picturesque use of atonality in the
comic episode of Quixote against the
sheep and the first use of a wind
machine in the percussion section to
characterize his fanciful flight
through the air.

The program also includes two
orchestral dance showpieces.
Rumanian Rhapsody No. 1 is only the
first of two works programmed this
season based on the folk music of
that country. Redwood Symphony’s
recording of this piece is one of
our best, as Maestro K draws on his
extensive background in Balkan
dancing to give this work a real
authentic flavor! Assistant
Conductor Kristin Link will open
with Wallingford Riegger’s
delightful (and virtually unknown)
Dance Rhythms.